The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Kumquat Festival changes date

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In this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and other Dade City officials have decided to move the 24th annual Kumquat Festival to March 27, according to a chamber news release.

The Kumquat Festival is attended by tens of thousands of visitors each year. (Courtesy of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)

The festival, typically held the last Saturday in January, will be a spring event this year.

“We felt it prudent to exercise extreme caution and move the date of the festival to ensure the health and safety of our attendees, our vendors, our sponsors, and the hundreds of people it takes to make this annual signature event a success,” John Moors, executive director of the Dade City chamber, said in the release.

The March 27 festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Dade City, around the iconic Historic Pasco County Courthouse. Admission is free. Shuttles will be provided from two satellite parking areas.

As in previous years, historic Downtown Dade City will be transformed into an open-air marketplace, featuring local businesses, hundreds of specialty vendors, an interactive Kids’ Corral, a car and truck show, dozens of partner sponsors, and the friendly, authentic Old Florida experience that the annual Kumquat Festival has come to represent.

The chamber extends its thanks for past support and continued enthusiasm for the 2021 annual Kumquat Festival.

Published August 05, 2020

Pastor is ‘Birthday King’ for a day

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Members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church recently helped to celebrate the Rev. Harold Thomas’ 85th birthday, and his 37th year of leading the church.

In the midst of COVID-19, the church couldn’t host the gathering it wanted, so it adapted to the times, according to Bermice Thomas, the pastor’s wife, who provided information about the event.

Pastor Harold Thomas celebrates his birthday, seated next to his wife, Bermice Thomas. (Courtesy of Bermice Thomas)

Church members outfitted Thomas with a “Birthday King” robe and crown, and had a surprise luncheon — adhering to COVID-19 social distancing.

Festivities included a parade of law enforcement officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Dade City Police Department — complete with lights and sirens, the pastor’s wife reported.

Pastor Thomas has “humbly served” at the church, located at 14549 Eighth St., in Dade City, his wife said, via email.

She thanked ANA’s Devine Events for providing beautiful decorations for the church’s dining area.

She said the pastor’s birthday was on July 21, but members decided it would be more of a surprise if they had the party on July 19 — the same day as church service.

Festivities included a parade by members of the Dade City Police Department and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, complete with lights and sirens. The law enforcement officers couldn’t stay for the party, but they posed with the pastor for a photo. From left: Pasco Sheriff’s Lt. J. R. Law, Dade City Police officer Jose Felix, Pastor Harold Thomas, Dade City Police officer Devon Greenwald and Dade City Police Sgt. Rob Tungate.

Those attending the morning service were invited to share in the lunch.

The luncheon foods came from Olive Garden and Wingstop.

Bermice Thomas said her husband rode with her to Wesley Chapel to pick up the chicken wings — one of his favorite foods.

His wife said she drove slowly deliberately, to ensure they arrived at the church close to the arranged time of the law enforcement parade.

The pastor became somewhat suspicious when she got of the car quickly, to go into the church.

“The cars were waiting to proceed at 1 p.m. sharp starting at the corner of Sumner Avenue and 10th Street,” she reported. “As the sirens got closer, Rev. Thomas, as well as everyone, came out to the covered sidewalk to see what was going on and why the sirens were so close.

“When the officers turned into the church parking lot with all the bells and whistles, my husband asked what was going on.

“The officers got out of their vehicles and those gathered began singing Happy Birthday, and each officer came up to congratulate him on 85 years,” Bermice Thomas’ email says.

Even though the officers could not stay to enjoy lunch, the pastor’s wife said, “I’d like to thank Chief Walters and the Dade City Police department for sharing in this wonderful blessing.”

She also appreciated the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for being there.

Pastor Thomas was moved to tears by the touching tribute, her email says.

Published August 05, 2020

The church hall was decorated for a party, celebrated with COVID-19 social distancing.
Rev. Harold Thomas dons a cape and crown, as he celebrates his 85th birthday.

Zephyrhills sets tentative millage rate

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Zephyrhills property owners won’t see an increase in their ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 2020-2021.

The Zephyrhills City Council on July 27 unanimously voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills — a rate the municipality has maintained for several years.

Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate have been scheduled for Sept. 14 and Sept. 28.

Under state law, once a tentative millage rate has been set, the city cannot raise it before the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The council does, however, have the option to reduce the rate before then.

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 worth of a property’s taxable assessed value.

In Zephyrhills, maintaining a rate of 6.35 mills would levy about $5.32 million in property taxes — a revenue increase of nearly $380,000 compared with last year.

The figures are based on the total city’s property value of nearly $838 million, an increase of $63.8 million over last year. Of that increase, $28.7 million is attributable to new construction.

The city’s tentative budget is typically set by Aug. 1 each year. However, staff requested to delay the deadline until Aug. 7, because the city is awaiting various revenue estimates from the state.

In other news, council members received an update on the Sarah Vande Berg Foundation’s outreach plans, in the midst of COVID-19.

The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, at 6585 Simons Road, won’t open its doors until mid- or late September, but inroads are being made to grow the sport among local youth.

The outreach will be done through the Sarah Vande Berg Foundation, a nonprofit that subsidizes tennis equipment, lessons and afterschool programs to underserved community youth, in partnership with the forthcoming tennis facility.

Nick Walton, the foundation’s program director, explained that the foundation had partnered with West Zephyrhills Elementary School to offer an afterschool tennis program in the spring, but that the program had to be postponed until the fall because of the pandemic.

In addition to partnering with individual schools, including West Zephyrhills Elementary, Walton said the nonprofit also will host a series of free afterschool programs available to all youth in the community during the 2020-2021 school year — regardless of whether students attend brick-and-mortar schools or take virtual classes.

The afterschool program likely will be held around 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m., on weekdays, Walton said.

“We’ve secured enough funding right now to secure us through the entire school year, so you guys will be seeing me, hopefully trying to raise more, and get into more schools and have more programs running,” Walton told the council.

The nearly $5 million tennis complex features 11 regulation outdoor tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts, as well as a state-of-the art indoor health and wellness center, among other amenities.

The facility is a public-private partnership between the City of Zephyrhills and Pascal Collard, a longtime tennis pro and instructor serving as the facility’s CEO.

Virtual meetings set for audio upgrades
In the last several weeks, Zephyrhills city government meetings have mostly returned in-person amid COVID-19, but citizens still have the opportunity to listen and participate through a telephone call-in number.

The Zephyrhills City Hall council chambers is being outfitted with a new computer system to enhance audio quality for broadcasting virtual meetings. (File)

As staffers and council members have begun conducting semi-virtual meetings at the City Hall council chambers, some audio quality issues have arisen for those who listen in on the phone in real time.

That’s because the chamber room’s communications system wasn’t originally designed to accommodate in-person meetings that could also be broadcasted remotely.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said those issues should be sorted out in time for the next scheduled council meeting on Aug. 10, as the city’s IT department is working to retrofit a new computer system that will provide for better sound processing.

“We’ve heard complaints about people being able to only hear every third word or being muffled,” Poe said. “Hopefully, we’ll have something in place, and hopefully it’ll work for the next meeting.”

With that, council president Charles Proctor expressed his appreciation for Mike Panak, the  city’s IT director, for helping set up a virtual meeting system on the fly, over the course of the shutdown.

“I’m sure this has been difficult for him to run all of this, and get all this, and I’m sure this has been a nightmare for him, and I really appreciate the fine job done, especially when we were meeting virtually,” Proctor said.

The council president also thanked the city’s entire staff for its dedication and its work to keep the municipality running over the last several months.

“This has been one of the most difficult times in our country’s history, and we have such an amazing group of employees that are so faithful. They show up to work, do an amazing job, even through all this nightmare that we’ve all been living.

“From the guy on the back of the truck to our police and city manager, I’m just so thankful that we have such an amazing team,” Proctor said.

Published August 05, 2020

Celebrating a quarter-century in law enforcement

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Dade City Police Chief James Walters has reached quite the career milestone — 25 consecutive years with the only law enforcement agency he knows.

Walters joined the Dade City Police Department in 1995 as a beat cop, fresh out of Saint Leo University.

Since then, he has worked his way through the ranks as a detective, sergeant and captain, among other titles.

He became acting chief in February 2018, when then Chief Ray Velboom retired. And, he became the department’s top cop that August, a role he still performs.

James Walters was sworn in as Dade City police chief in August 2018. He recently celebrated his 25-year anniversary working for the law enforcement agency. He joined the force as a beat cop in 1995. (File)

On the whole, Walters said, the last quarter-century has “gone by in a flash.”

“It felt like just yesterday I was walking into the doors of the old Dade City Police Department building,” Walters said during a recent phone interview with The Laker/Lutz News. “It seems like it was just yesterday I was walking in for the very first time.”

Over the past few weeks, community members and leaders have congratulated Walters on his 25 years of service — somewhat jokingly adding that they’re looking forward to seeing him in uniform for another 25 years.

While he won’t be working in 2045, he has no plans to step away anytime soon.

He said he’s humbled by the community support and appreciation.

“I’m glad this community, this city still wants me to be a part of things. As long as we are making a difference and contributing, we’re going to keep on going,” Walters said.

The police chief was formally recognized during a July 14 Dade City Commission virtual meeting.

It’s where Mayor Camille Hernandez summed up her appreciation to Walters: “You are truly an asset, you are a pleasure to work with, and your outreach and concern for the community and students, and the young people and families in our community is noteworthy.”

Destined for law enforcement
Walters’ pathway into law enforcement and public service began while growing up in Inverness, in Citrus County.

Walters said he discovered what he wanted to be in the summer of 1979, when he was just 8 years old.

That was when he survived an alligator attack, while swimming in a lake on his parents’ property. As he tells it, an alligator grabbed his foot and pulled him out of the water. He sustained injuries, but managed to escape.

During Walters’ three-week stay in a hospital, he was visited several times by Jamie Adams, then a wildlife officer with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.

Adams, would go on to become longtime sheriff of Sumter County through the 1980s and 1990s.

The positive interactions that Walters had with Adams left an imprint on the young boy, that he would never forget.

“He said he was going to go get that gator, and that made me pretty happy,” Walters recalled, “so back then, it left an impression on a scared kid, and I never really wanted to do anything else in my life.”

Dade City love
Walters moved to Dade City roughly 30 years ago, to finish his undergraduate degree in criminal justice at the University of Saint Leo.

Before that, he had graduated from Citrus High School and played college football for a few years at a small school in Iowa — St. Ambrose University. But, as a Florida boy, “I nearly froze to death,” Walters quipped.

So, he transferred to Saint Leo. Walters quickly immersed himself into the Dade City community, coaching football and wrestling at Pasco High School. He was an assistant football coach on Perry Brown’s staff that won a state title in 1992.

After experiencing “a tremendous feeling of community,” where the Pasco High football stadium “would just be overflowing with people,” Walters had no desire to live or work anyplace else.

“I grew up in a small town. Dade City felt like home, and I really fell in love with the community,” Walters said. “It’s really small town America.”

That small town feeling, however, could change a little bit in coming years.

With Dade City poised for extensive growth that could see its population more than double in size in the next decade or so, Walters acknowledged it’s a challenge for an agency that has 23 full-time sworn and about 40 personnel total.

Preliminary plans call for more homes to be built than currently exist within city limits, Walters noted.

Growing the department in proportion to the number of rooftops will be “a metered approach”  in coordination with city leaders, the police chief said.

“We’re not going to accomplish anything overnight,” Walters, “but, we’re going to try to grow as the city grows, so we can maintain the levels of service that the citizens and the visitors of this community come to expect,” he said.

Published July 29, 2020

Commissioners sworn in, virtually

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The swearing-in ceremony for the Dade City Commission took on a new look, as the city adapted to this COVID-19 time.

This year, oaths were recited and hands were raised, as usual — but not at City Hall.

Group 3 Commissioner Jim Shive (File)

Commissioners took their oaths remotely, by video conference and telephone.

While not quite as ceremonial as a traditional swearing-in ceremony, a purpose was served, as third-term incumbent Jim Shive and newly elected Knute Nathe and Normita Woodard became official members of Dade City’s legislative body.

The July 14 virtual proceedings were handled by City Clerk Angelia Guy and City Attorney Tom Thanas.

The action also coincided with the selection of the municipality’s mayor and mayor pro-tem.

Commissioner Camille Hernandez was unanimously reappointed to the mayor’s chair, while Shive was named mayor pro tem.

Hernandez thanked fellow commissioners for a “vote of confidence to continue to lead the city for the next term.

Group 4 Commissioner Knute Nathe (Courtesy of Knute Nathe)

“I’m honored, I will continue to do my best, and will continue to move Dade City forward as we handle lots of different things,” she said.

The newly sworn-in commissioners, who will serve four-year terms, also offered some remarks.

Shive thanked Dade City residents for allowing him to serve for another term. The retired government employee has served on the Dade City Commission since 2012. He retained his Group 3 seat after receiving 58.14% of votes to defeat challenger Matthew Shane Wilson.

“I really care about Dade City, and am really looking forward to working with the new commissioners and getting things done,” Shive said. “We have a lot of work to get done, but I appreciate the support and thank you very much.”

Group 5 Commissioner Normita Woodard (Courtesy of Normita Woodard)

Nathe, an attorney, assumes the Group 4 seat vacated by Nicole Deese Newlon, who chose not to seek reelection. He defeated Ann Consentino by garnering 56.72% of the vote.

Nathe thanked his supporters and encouraged Dade City residents to become more active in governmental affairs and provide feedback to the commission, whether it’s through phone calls, emails or attending meetings.

He also was vocal about controlling development that comes into city limits, to curb “out-of- control” growth like you have in Wesley Chapel and what’s going on now in San Antonio.”

Woodard, an educator, assumes the Group 5 seat held by Eunice Penix since 1993.

Penix decided not to seek another term. Woodard received 52.46% of votes, edging out Christopher King.

Woodard used her platform to prompt commissioners and department heads to offer more appreciation and thanks to the city’s rank-and-file employees who daily deal with the public.

“I just want to make sure that we’re telling them, ‘Thank you’ just a little bit more, because it seems like a lot of them are wearing a lot of hats. …I think we just need to take a little bit more time and acknowledge them, and that goes a long way.”

Commissioners also:

  • Approved first reading ordinance establishing the Highland Trails Community Development District (CDD), encompassing approximately 243 acres located south of Morningside Drive, north of Clinton Avenue, west of Old Lakeland Highway and east of U.S. Highway 301
  • Approved first reading ordinance for an annexation of approximately 13.59 acres located west of U.S Highway 301 and north of Clinton Avenue. The annexation petition was requested by Wagenvoord Advertising Inc., and David and Gordon Howard.
  • Approved first reading ordinance for an annexation of approximately 52.32 acres located east of U.S. Highway 301, west of U.S. Highway 98 and south of Clinton Avenue. The annexation petition was requested by Iqbal Groves Inc. Additionally, commissioners approved first readings of a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment and zoning amendment for the vacant property, to make way for a future 298-unit subdivision.
  • Approved first reading ordinance amending a zoning map on approximately 2.13 acres of real property located at 36847 and 36851 State Road 52, from CN (Neighborhood Commercial District) to CG (Commercial General). The applicant, Benoit Trust, is proposing to develop the property for a small-scale commercial retail building, namely a Dollar General.
  • Approved preliminary plan for a new seven-lot subdivision called Teri Court near the intersection of 14th Street and Dixie Avenue
  • Approved preliminary assessment for stormwater utility fees for the 2020-2021 tax year, whereby the preliminary equivalent residential unit (ERU) rate is $45 per year. A public hearing is set for Sept. 8.

Published July 22, 2020

This museum keeps making a history of its own

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In the wee hours of June 2 — around 1:35 a.m., to be exact — the first of two sections of a log cabin were transported down U.S. 301, en route to a new home on the grounds of The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village.

The structure joins a collection of more than a dozen buildings situated on the 20-acre site, north of Dade City.

Together, they help tell the story of the men, women and children who have made a life in Florida — through the buildings where they went to school, or worshiped, where they shopped, worked and met for social gatherings.

Descendants of the Overstreet family helped raise the money to cover the cost of moving this dwelling to the grounds of the Pioneer Florida Museum, for restoration. The structure was moved on Sept. 27, 1978. Originally, the building was situated on the site now occupied by Rodney B. Cox Elementary School in Dade City. The Overstreet House is typical of the mid-1860s time period. It was built with native heart pine and has a dogtrot connecting it to the kitchen. (Courtesy of Doug Sanders)

The collections include the Enterprise Baptist Church, originally built in 1878, then rebuilt in 1903.

There’s also the Old Lacoochee Schoolhouse, built around 1926.

Other structures on the property include the 1896 Trilby depot, the 1927 C.C. Smith General Store and Overstreet House, an 1864 farmhouse.

The museum’s most ambitious relocation project happened in 1993, when it moved buildings from The Green Swamp, which is managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

“We moved an old hunting lodge and a bunkhouse 40 miles from The Green Swamp,” recalled Susan Sumner Shelton, a long-time museum board member.

The cypress structures originally were owned by the Cummer Sons Cypress Company, which operated the South’s largest sawmill and box factory in Lacoochee until 1958.

“It took state historic grants to move and restore those buildings,” Shelton said.

The log cabin, which is the most recent structure moved to the grounds, is perhaps the oldest one in Pasco County.

It was moved from Lacoochee.

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village added a little new history of its own when a log cabin was moved, in sections, to the museum grounds.

Elaine Black Wilson, who donated her grandfather’s log cabin to the museum, marveled at the how well the cabin has stood up, over time.

“I was just amazed that it was not damaged by rotten wood after all these years,” she said.

Besides its connection to the past, the building also has a connection to the present. It belonged to Dade City Commissioner Scott Black’s grandfather. The commissioner lived in the house with his grandmother for several months, in the early 1970s.

George E.W. and Mamie Black purchased the cabin from the Mann family in the late 1950s, after George retired from the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The house was passed onto their son, Walt Black, and later his daughter, Elaine.

Before the cabin was moved to the museum grounds, volunteers worked to do some deconstruction work — removing additions that had been added to the original structure.

The first historically significant building to be moved to the museum grounds was the Old Lacoochee Schoolhouse circa 1926. Electric lights were furnished in the style of the Florida one-room schools prevalent in the early 20th century.

The house also had to be divided in two, to fit on the trailers used in the move.

Like the building relocations in 1993, this one was complicated.

It was done at night, and had to avoid electric power lines and other utility lines.

A permit was required to cross the railroad tracks facing the museum.

Various sources provided funding for the move.

“We received $25,000 in tourist development funds secured by Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, and $10,000 from the Joseph and Rose Herrmann Charitable Foundation,” said Stephanie Black, the museum’s director.

“Scott Black secured $5,000 from CSX Transportation,” added Black, who is no relation to city commissioner Black.

Steve Melton, who coordinated the log cabin’s relocation, said when the restoration is finished, museum visitors will see a pioneer home hand-hewed from whole trees to construct 30-foot log beams and floors that were squared by an axe.

“It was made from old growth cypress trees,” Melton explains, “and it really must be viewed to appreciate one of the best examples of Florida Cracker-style architecture I have ever seen in my life.”

Dozens of historic photographs and artifacts are on display in these buildings relocated from the Green Swamp, to serve as a history center for the museum.

Pioneer Florida Museum and Village features a collection of historic structures. In non-COVID times, it also is a popular venue for public and private events and school field trips.
Where: 15602 Pioneer Museum Road (1 mile north of Dade City)
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to  5 p.m. Please arrive by 3:30 p.m., to tour the museum. Closed on Sunday, Monday and most holidays.
Cost: Adult, $10; Senior, $8; Student (including college with ID), $5; Children under 5, no charge
The museum is open, but has been hit hard by COVID-19. Concerns about potential spread of the virus has canceled many special fundraising events, weddings, family reunion and student field trips.
Info: For more about the museum, or if you would like to help it through these challenging times, call (352) 567-0262, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

A brief history of the museum
In 1961, a prominent citizen of San Antonio donated 37 vehicles and tools to the Pasco County Fair Association, prompting the formation of the Pioneer Florida Museum Association, with 87 charter members.
Those charter members made it clear they wanted the museum “…to show that the men and women who were here before us, struggled, made do, and sometimes won…”
Initially located in a small building at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, the museum now sits on land donated by prominent attorney and rancher, William Larkin, and his wife, Emily.

Published July 22, 2020

The Enterprise Baptist Church was moved to the museum in 1977. The church originally was built in 1878, and was rebuilt in 1903 by local citizens, at a cost of $500.

Zephyrhills wants more data before setting tax rate

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Zephyrhills property owners will have to wait a bit longer before finding out the property tax rate for fiscal year 2020-2021.

The Zephyrhills City Council tabled setting a tentative millage rate, until information on projected revenue streams is provided from the Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research (EDR).

The consensus decision came during a July 13 regular council meeting.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (Courtesy of Billy Poe)

A memo from city staff recommended setting the tentative millage rate at 6.35 — the rate the city has maintained for several years.

However, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe advised council members to hold off on a decision until more concrete projections are available from the EDR on various revenue sources, including communications services tax, Penny for Pasco, local government half-cent sales tax, local option fuel tax and the municipal revenue sharing program.

Once the council adopts a proposed millage rate, it can be decreased but cannot be increased unless the city mails a notice to each taxpayer.

Poe told the council he’s “pretty positive” the city won’t need to set a millage rate higher than 6.35. But, the city manager warned: “With everything that’s going on, we don’t want to have to set the millage rate too low, if we have to increase.”

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 worth of a property’s assessed value.

In Zephyrhills, maintaining a rate of 6.35 mills would levy about $5.32 million in property taxes — a revenue increase of almost $380,000, compared to last year, according to the memo.

The figures are based on the total city’s property value of nearly $838 million, an increase of $63.8 million over last year; $28.7 million of that increase is attributable to new construction.

Reports from the EDR are expected in time for the July 27 council meeting, Poe said.

Once the city sets a tentative millage rate, the council will conduct two public hearings in September before adopting a final rate.

The delay in receiving EDR reports won’t have an impact on budget preparations, Poe said, noting that various department heads have been in such discussions.

With that, the city manager outlined considerations and projects that likely will need to be factored into the city’s next budget. Those include:

  • 911 Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) agreement with Pasco County
  • Funding for the East Pasco Family YMCA
  • Payouts for all city fire rescue personnel, as part of a merger with Pasco Fire Rescue
  • Funding for a business/job incentive program, in conjunction with the county
  • Increased wages for Zephyrhills Police Department officers — negotiated last year through its police union
  • Life Scan Physical program for police department
  • Stormwater Master Plan funding
  • Retirement payouts
  • Simons Road Phase II design
  • Installing a crosswalk between the subdivisions connecting Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center and Silverado Golf & Country Club, on the east side of Simons Road
  • Increased animal control costs
  • Increased retirement costs
  • Trail System Master Plan funding
  • Sidewalk improvements within the city’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA)
  • County Road 54 improvement costs
  • Agenda software upgrades
  • Renovations to the Hercules Park property

Published July 22, 2020

Intersection improvement gains state funding

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The Zephyrhills City Council is proceeding with plans for an intersection project at U.S. 301, Pretty Pond Road and the Townview shopping center.

Construction is anticipated to begin later this year for a traffic signal intersection project at U.S. 301, Pretty Pond Road and Townview shopping center. The project received a $2.3 million state appropriation. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Council members unanimously awarded the bid for the project and approved a construction agreement with BRW Contracting Inc., a Land O’ Lakes company.

The project garnered interest from several construction companies, but BRW submitted the only bid, in the amount of $2,161,884.40.

The project is being funded via a $2.3 million appropriation included in this year’s state budget.

It calls for the relocation of an existing signalized intersection from the shopping plaza entrance to Pretty Pond Road, a signalized intersection at Medical Arts Court, and all other required roadway improvements.

The addition of signalized intersections at these locations is designed to improve the mobility and serve as an economic driver for the northeast and northwest corners of Pretty Pond. The area is expected to be home to a Chick-fil-A, Aldi, and national hotel chain, among other businesses.

Construction is anticipated to get underway sometime before Sept. 1, with completion targeted sometime in spring 2021.

Under the agreement, BRW Contracting has 240 days, or eight months, to complete the project upon commencement of construction.

Published July 22, 2020

Summer camp fun returns to East Pasco YMCA

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In normal times, summer-camp kids at the East Pasco YMCA in Zephyrhills would be greeted with hugs and high-fives.

These aren’t normal times.

“Camp Cattle and Grove’’ almost is routine. It is still 10 weeks of swimming, games, activities, sports and education. But, it also includes social distancing, hand-washing, constant disinfecting and masking up. It’s summer camp in the COVID-19 era.

“It has been different, but some things haven’t changed,’’ said Alex Delgado, the East Pasco YMCA aquatics and program director who coordinates the camp. “Kids are kids. They love to see their friends. They love to have fun.

“They have been cooped up for a long time, so they are eager to get back at it. Sometimes, kids don’t understand what we’re doing. But, we make sure they don’t share supplies. We make sure every chair, every table, every basketball, every Lego, everything they use, is properly cleaned and disinfected. We’re all about having fun. But, we’re all about keeping them safe.’’

East Pasco YMCA officials Ryan Pratt, left, and Alex Delgado display the manual of activities for ‘Camp Cattle and Grove.’ (Joey Johnston)

Delgado and Ryan Pratt, the East Pasco YMCA membership and wellness director, initially wondered how the summer camp would be received. Would parents be wary? It has actually been the opposite. On the busiest week, 45 kids participated (last summer’s average was 34) and attendance has been pretty consistent.

“We actually had a pretty good trial run because we did 11 weeks of relief care (where working parents dropped off kids for all-day sessions during the school closures),’’ Pratt said. “We practiced social distancing. We saw what worked, what didn’t work. We felt pretty good about it.

“When summer camp rolled around, it was a little strange at first. We’re so used to physically encouraging them, but even the basic hug couldn’t be done this time. Some kids were uneasy at first. But, they got used to wearing masks. Pretty soon, it was, ‘Hey, this is summer camp. I get to play games and swim.’ Now it seems really normal.’’

Delgado, who has produced a weekly newsletter to detail the camp’s activities for parents, said the older group of kids had a quick grasp on the new normal, which includes masks when there was no physical activity and persistent cleanliness. The younger kids have followed that example.

The only major camp difference is a lack of outside vendors. Last summer, camp included a mobile music bus and a petting zoo of farm animals. Now more caution has been exercised, although the kids have gotten visits from Kona Ice, and Culver’s Restaurant, which provided custard.

“It doesn’t take much for kids to have fun, really,’’ Delgado said. “They are creative and imaginative. Most days, they are having a blast.’’

Summer-camp kids enjoy pool activities at the East Pasco YMCA.

The East Pasco YMCA staff has been creative as well. Delgado and Pratt — along with executive director Michael Cosentino — are wiping down equipment, sweeping floors and cleaning bathrooms.

“Whatever works,’’ Pratt said. “We’re doing a few things maybe we weren’t doing pre-COVID. But, we are dedicated to making this a memorable and safe experience for all the kids.’’

That’s true for the community at large.

The East Pasco YMCA, which mostly serves Zephyrhills, Dade City and Wesley Chapel, has morphed back to life after weeks of COVID-forced inactivity.

“In general, the membership is slowly returning,’’ Pratt said. “Once the virus is over, we’ll keep things in place. This level of cleanliness and disinfecting will be the standard, so that is a positive.

“We’re trying to let the community know that we are ready when they are ready. A lot of businesses are struggling, but we are a business, too. We are creating a safe environment for the entire family. Little by little, we are coming back and we want to be receptive to everyone’s needs.’’

This summer, that begins with the camp kids.

“Just seeing the happy faces, the laughter and the fun, that makes everything worth it,’’ Delgado said. “Summer camp and kids makes you feel like everything is back in order.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published July 22, 2020

Dade City hires finance consultant to handle budget

By

The City of Dade City has been scrambling to fill a key vacancy in its finance department — during a critical juncture where many budgetary details need to be ironed out for fiscal year 2020-2021.

To handle that chore, the municipality is turning to a financial consultant who’ll provide mostly remote services.

The finance department has been operating without a full-time finance officer. Its assistant finance officer resigned in June.

Dade City Commissioners approved the hiring of Andrew Laflin to serve as a financial consultant and interim finance officer, until the position is filled. The city’s finance department has been operating without a full-time finance officer. Its assistant finance officer resigned in late June. The municipality is now organizing its budget for fiscal year 2020-2021. (Courtesy of Andrew Laflin)

Dade City commissioners on July 14 unanimously approved an agreement with Andrew Laflin, CPA, to provide finance and budget services to the city, for an amount of $6,500 per month. The agreement is effective through Sept. 30, 2021; either party has the ability to terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice.

Laflin is expected to work from City Hall one or two days a week, and then be accessible remotely and virtually other days of the week.

He provides similar consulting services to the City of Madeira Beach and assists the Pinellas County Clerk’s finance division.

Laflin brings 17 years of public accounting experience, mainly leading an outsourcing, consulting and advisory practice devoted to serving Florida local governments, including counties, cities, transportation authorities and other special districts.

Laflin’s resume shows that he has provided consulting services to more than two dozen governmental agencies. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the fields of financial and cost accounting at the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College.

“I just look forward to the opportunity to serve this city and handle all the duties and responsibilities of this position, and I’m capable and eager to do so,” Laflin told the commission, during its virtual meeting.

Commissioners acknowledged the consulting arrangement — opposed to having a finance officer in-house — is far from ideal. But, they said there’s little other option at this point to get an initial budget drafted by Aug. 1.

The city originally anticipated elevating or placing additional responsibility to assistant finance officer Venus Irvine, but she resigned from her position June 24, leaving another gap in the finance department in a time where several budget workshops need to be planned, organized and executed.

“We’re really stuck in a vulnerable position,” said Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez. “We have a lot of work to get this budget done by Aug. 1, so there’s a huge void to be filled. I don’t think this is the best scenario, but it is a void that can be filled with a very capable person at this time.”

Commissioner Scott Black concurred: “We have to move ahead. We don’t have any choice in it. We may get into this (consulting arrangement) and realize this is a great option for us even to continue, so let’s go into it, see what we think. We have to do it now, so we need to proceed and we can cross all those bridges as we go along.”

The city has been unable to find a full-time finance officer since Leslie Porter was promoted from that role to city manager in February 2019. Since then, Porter’s been juggling both roles, something commissioners “never, never, never intended to be the case,” Hernandez emphasized.

“I am not happy with where we’re at a year-and-a-half later almost and having one individual assume both positions,” Hernandez said.

“The city manager has many things that we need to get done, especially in this time of all these other activities and plans and things that are happening in our city, so having that same person assuming all of those things is really not in the city’s best interest,” she added.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive agreed, adding, “This situation with trying to get a finance director on board has taken a long time and I think we need to get this position filled as soon as we can.”

Aside from the ongoing search for a permanent finance officer, the mayor also expressed displeasure with the amount of job turnover throughout City Hall, particularly with some leading departmental roles.

Hernandez observed: “We’ve had some major positions that have been vacant or get filled and then they’re empty again, and that is not helping us at all, especially during a very busy time in Dade City’s history and all we’re trying to accomplish.

“I don’t know what we need to do, and I know the pool is limited, but we’ve got to figure this out,” Hernandez said.

July 22, 2020